July 2, 2025
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., (July 2, 2025) — HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched into the James River at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division.
Shipbuilders transferred the submarine from a construction facility to the floating dry dock, where it was launched and moved by tugboats to a submarine pier at the shipyard for final outfitting, testing and crew certification.
“We are committed to increasing submarine construction cadence and throughput for the U.S. Navy,” said Bryan Caccavale, NNS vice president of Navy programs. “Nuclear-powered submarines are critical to our national security and we’re proud to see Arkansas in the water.”
The ship’s sponsors are the six women of the historic group known as the Little Rock Nine, the first African American students to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, during desegregation.
Arkansas is the 27th Virginia-class submarine and will be the 13th delivered by NNS. The advanced capabilities of Virginia-class submarines increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth.
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).
1 / 9
HII is America’s largest shipbuilder, delivering the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain mission technologies, including unmanned systems, to U.S. and allied defense customers. HII is the largest producer of unmanned underwater vehicles for the U.S. Navy and the world.
With a more than 140-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII builds and integrates defense capabilities extending from the core fleet to C6ISR, AI/ML, EW and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong.
Media Contact
Sign Up for Updates
Enter your email to receive news updates and insights.
By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from HII.